Tuesday, August 12, 2008

#3 Coldplay

Julie: "But does innocuous mean you should listen to it? It doesn't make you think or make you feel any way other than just kind of numb. All of my Christian culture friends have Coldplay on their Facebook profiles."

I think she makes a decent case.

*For the record I don't think Coldplay is outright shitty, I just think it is sort of uninspired yet highly listen-able. A bit like Christian culture.

63 comments:

I'm not a Coldplay fan by any means, but is it any surprise that so many Evangelical Christians listen to Coldplay? Listen to what gets pushed on Evangelicals and it is outstanding by comparison.The subculture propagated by many Western Christians is just simply banal. Coldplay is bland and innocuous, but it is a damed site more exciting that most Christian bands I have ever heard.That said, Coldplay is still a great substitute for valium.

I was introduced to Coldplay by a pastor/friend in the spring of 2001. Since he also introduced me to Red House Painters, Godspeed You Black Emperor, and Elvis I think he can be forgiven this offense. Sometimes innocuous just hits the spot.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Why waste our time with garbage like this. If you believe that God wants the best for you, don't spend your time listening to poorly written, poorly executed, bland music. This is shitty art!

I'm having fun readinf all your posts and replying to many of them today.

I had never heard of Coldplay until I read that they stole music from Joe Satriani. Now, while I don't normally listen to secular music out of personal preference, I can't deny my man Satch. Fortunately, most of his albums are fully instrumental. I found this blog while searching to see if Coldplay is a Christian band. Being unfamiliar with them, I doubted it.

It's interesting to me that a line like that would make an entire culture rabid for them, when lots of other bands who are what we'd call 'secular' talk about sinning and needing to be saved, but the Christians don't jump on that train. I postulate that it's the safely-barely-edgy appeal Coldplay has that makes Christian culture nuts about them.

Coldplay is incredible and if you don't agree then you're simply too concerned with being anti-trendy then with actually judging someone's creative output for yourself.

I and many of my musician friends have been listening to Coldplay since their early days (back when only underground indie kids liked them, before they had multi-million dollar worldwide stadium tours, etc.) Coldplay are simply great musicians that are great at what they do. They are not innocuous or bland, unless you mean to call the entire genre to which they belong also innocuous and bland (this would include anything from Iron & Wine to Sleeping at Last, Homer Hiccolm & the Rocket Boys, and many others besides). I think it's funny that so many people are so concerned with talking about how Coldplay is a horrible band just because they're popular. Most people ranted and raved about how great they were before X & Y hit it big (consequently, that is my favorite album by them, despite the fact that the band itself has gone on to call it their weakest). I haven't personally observed any particular affinity within the typical Christian community for Coldplay, at least not any more than within pop culture in general. However, as many popular artists do not deserve the fame or recognition they get, Coldplay has been and continues to be one very big exception to that. IF you don't like them, fine. But don't pretend like you have some sort of extra validity to call them talentless and banal. I know plenty of serious musicians that think Coldplay is phenomenal, so where's the truth?

HAHA "I know plenty of serious musicians that think Coldplay is phenomenal, so where's the truth?"The truth is that what you like is what you like, that taste is the enemy of art, that art is the enemy of rock and roll, and that a lot of evangelical Christians I know love Coldplay. LOVE them. This blog is nothing if not a big generalization and if my experience isn't the same as yours, that's totally cool. Yeah, the post isn't about the horribleness of Coldplay, it's that Christian culture as I've experienced it likes Coldplay & that I don't think they're outright shitty. I think I wrote that there. I don't think I have any sort of extra validity to call them talentless and banal so that's why I didn't call them talentless and banal. I do however think I have some validity to be a giant corndog and admit that I like a Miley Cyrus song, so I'm going to go ahead and do that.

I am going to have to agree with some others on this post. I think Coldplay produces enjoyable music, but if someone hates them, I am fine with that as well. I appreciate the observation, but if Christians like Coldplay because the music does not offend their worldview and becuase it is catchy, I am not so sure what is to criticize. I have found this blog to be very funny because I relate so much to the material, but reading through it at times the criticism seems to be a little much.

You people need to shut your cursing mouths and stop putting down your fellow Christians. Stop putting people in racial sterotypes. Of a Christian likes coldplay so.... Who cares?!?!? We need to be more concerned about if coldplay really is Christian and we need to pray for them. We need to be careful what we as Christians are listening to.

A racial stereotype is when you categorize a specific type of person with liking something. Just like if I were to say all people named Chrissy like hamburgers. What if you dont like hamburgers. Im sure you would negate what i said. It gets worse when you say that certain people like or do serious or harmful things, and they really dont.

I think TRF Emissary means facial stereotypes, because, you know, Steve Tyler and Mick Jagger made people go, Oh, all rock singers have big lips! and then Coldplay used a fish-eye lens on their debut album cover that made their lips look big, so that's why they went platinum, but I mean record sales, not their soul patches, because that would be a facial hair stereotype and then TRF would emissary over to that post and get all, You are all such a facist.

TRF(e): Thanks. But what you mean is "stereotyping." Racial stereotyping is when you generalize and assign a common habit to a specific race. Like saying "black people love watermelon." Generally it is true, but I live with a black person who does not like watermelon. There are many exceptions to every stereotype (racial or not), but the generalizations are interesting to examine. Thinking people stereotypically find it fascinating to examine stereotypes. If stereotyping Christian Culture bothers you, I suggest you avoid thinking so stereotypically, and encourage those with whom you pray for Coldplay, to do the same. Then you can have fun with us! As of right now, the non-racial stereotype is proving itself true.

Are you people so foolish that you can't see what I meant when I mad the analogy about chrissy and hamburgers. By the way if you're idea of having fun is stereotyping Christians, then that's sure pathetic. Christians are supposed to be set apart from this world, and make an impact by our example. I think you, chrissy, are getting caught up in the stereotype that if you talk like a fool in a blog then you'll feel excepted and part of a group of friends. Make sure it's not death and all his friends.

TRF(e): Stereotyping Christians is not the fun part. We didn't create the stereotype. It simply exists. The fun part is examining the stereotype that the culture created and encourages. Thinking is fun. Sharing our thoughts is fun. This blog, for me, is a gift from God. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights." Just tell God you think He gave me a stupid gift. He won't mind. You don't have to like the gifts He gives me. We all receive personal gifts from our Father. My friendship with Stephy is one of them. Don't worry. He'll give you different gifts that you like and need. As of right now, I suggest in all my folly, that you yield to scripture and "Do not answer a fool according to his folly." "Laughter is good medicine." Thanks for contributing to my daily dose, bro.

True Radiant Free, you don't seem set apart from this world. If the world should know you are a Christian by your love then why are you calling us foolish and pathetic? People who behave like you are the reason I don't want to be a Christian.

True Radiant Free (emissary) said...Are you people so foolish that you can't see what I meant when I mad the analogy about chrissy and hamburgers.

Not really, but you obviously saw what steph and chrissy were talking about by not putting "racial" before stereotype in your last post. Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks? Proud of ya, TRF!

It's good to hear that at least you have knowledge of the scripture chrissy. But did you happen to see that the next verse after the one you quoted (proverbs 26:5) is "answer a fool according to his folly" It might sound like the two verse contradict each other but not aswering a fool to his folly means not to prolong an argument by becoming foolish in the same way. Answering according to his folly means when you are stating a fact in love because you want to help or explain something. Anyway I'm not here to argue. And now for you stephy: I never called anyone foolish or pathetic. I simply asked if they were foolish, just like Jesus answered the Pharisees with a question. I said that feeling a part of a group by making stereotypes is pathetic. It's people like you who reject Christianity based on twisted words and proudness that make Christians want to be stronger witnesses. I have much compassion for the lost people, and I hope you can come to know Jesus' salvation for everyone, if you would humble yourself.

"It's good to hear that at least you have knowledge of the scripture chrissy.": Apparently she also has big boobs. I LoL'd.

"It might sound like the two verse contradict each other but not aswering a fool to his folly means not to prolong an argument by becoming foolish in the same way.":Actually this seems like a contradiction to your argument, since it's almost exactly what I was thinking about you while I was reading your comment

"And now for you stephy:" Pins and needles!

"I never called anyone foolish or pathetic. I simply asked if they were foolish, just like Jesus answered the Pharisees with a question. I said that feeling a part of a group by making stereotypes is pathetic.":Calling someones actions pathetic is basically the same as calling them pathetic. Nice try but a huge fail in the end.

"It's people like you who reject Christianity based on twisted words and proudness that make Christians want to be stronger witnesses." Actually, from what I've read, I think Stephy still is a Christian she just pokes fun at the perversion that we call American sub culture Christianity. Hence, your getting all bent out of shape over a post about Coldplay. I don't think Jesus would care much. If I'm wrong, stephy, then I apologize. That's just what I've seen.

"I have much compassion for the lost people,": You shouldn't be so quick to think that you're the one found...

"and I hope you can come to know Jesus' salvation for everyone,": My personal relationship with Jesus has nothing to do with you, let alone "everyone" else

I apologize for the ramble and long post. Look! Chrissy has big boobs! *exits*

This clip may clarify any question TRF(e) had regarding stereotypes. Or it will at least make the rest of you laugh and/or cry. This stereotypical Christian puppet show is unabashedly filled with racial stereotypes. Jackpot!!!

I disagree with the comment that they far more interesting than most Christian bands. Because even though more main stream Christian artists like SwitchFoot and Reliant K have lost their edge, there are definently better bands out there... But I agree with on going theme of thia all, Christian Music needs some revolution.

Isn't it possible that people just like their music? I'm a Christian myself, but I found Coldplay through FANFICTION. FANFICTION THAT WASN'T MADE BY A CHRISTIAN. And after listening to a few songs, I decided I liked it. It wasn't until MONTHS later that I thought Viva La Vida had some Christian like themes in them and decided to check it out. I know people that aren't Christian but like them, and tons of people who are that would never listen to them. But these comments just make it seem as though every Christian likes Coldplay and that it sucks. I like their music and I would've liked them with or without a Christian element. Can you blame anyone for listening to a certain of music and like it because it's not filled with copious amounts of violence or profanity and lines up with their beliefs?

I think its so funny that all of u want to bash Christians for likeing Coldplay. Im shure that they can all careless about what you think.I know for a fact that Coldplay could careless as they lol all the way to the bank. And i would like to see one of you make a song that makes it to the billboard top 100.till then keep hating, being a Christan or a musician is not a ez thing. But they are both verry blessed. God loves them and all of you, even if you all are haters

I absolutely love Coldplay, they are my very favorite band. I am also Christian and, although most of their songs do not directly refer to God, they do not disrespect or rebel against Him (which is more than I could say for most artists). I would say they generally support Christian principles in most of their songs.

About Me

"Why do people in church seem like cheerful, brainless tourists on a packaged tour of the Absolute? … Does anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we blithely invoke? Or, as I suspect, does no one believe a word of it? ...we should all be wearing crash helmets". —Annie Dillard, Teaching a Stone to Talk